SAINT ANTONINUS OF FLORENCE

While digging through some old photos I came upon a holy card with a prayer to Saint Antoninus of Florence. In a post from last year (cf. October 18,2008) I wrote that he is a fitting intercessor for these difficult economic times. I wanted to share this prayer with you.



O ANTONINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF FLORENCE,
IN GOD'S HEAVEN YOU SHINE WITH THE
TWO-FOLD CROWN OF BISHOP AND DOCTOR.
ILLUMINE OUR WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE
AND MAKE OUR HEARTS INVINCIBLE IN TEMPTATION.

YOU WHO WERE CALLED THE "SAINT OF GOOD ADVICE"
GUIDE US THROUGH THE CONFUSION OF OUR THOUGHTS
AND THE REBELLION OF OUR WILL.

THE POOR CALLED YOU "FATHER"
AND IN YOU FOUND PROTECTION AND HELP -
PHYSICAL BREAD FOR THEIR BODIES
AND SPIRITUAL BREAD FOR THEIR SOULS.

AS THE DAILY CARES OF THIS EARTHLY LIFE
BECOME INCREASINGLY BURDENSOME,
WE TURN TO YOU WHO WISELY POINTED OUT
THE DEMANDS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
IN THE MIDST OF DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
OBTAIN FOR US FROM GOD THE FREEDOM TO SERVE HIM ALONE,
TO LIVE IN FRATERNAL LOVE, AND TO USE THE GOODS OF THE
EARTH TO SEEK THE TREASURES OF THE LIFE TO COME.

ELIA CARDINAL DELLA COSTA
(translated by Doug Sousa)